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Actor Lee Byung Hun has been recognized by The New York Times Magazine as one of the “10 Best Film Performances of 2025.”

In its annual Great Performers list, the magazine highlights ten actors who delivered the year’s most powerful on-screen performances those capable of expressing raw, deeply human emotions.

Lee Byung Hun was selected for his standout role in No Other Choice, praised for his ability to fully immerse himself in a character and convey emotions with striking authenticity. In the accompanying interview, he shared, “I don’t think about my real life when I’m acting,” noting that unexpected emotions often surface naturally during filming.

This year’s list also includes global stars such as Liam Neeson, Kirsten Dunst, and Teyana Taylor, underscoring Lee Byung Hun’s position among the leading actors of contemporary cinema.

The honor adds to his growing global acclaim, following his recent Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy.

Girls’ Generation’s Tiffany Young and actor Byun Yo Han have officially confirmed they’re in a relationship and they’re dating with marriage in mind.

On December 13 KST, Byun Yo Han’s agency TEAMHOPE shared, “It’s true the two are dating with the intention of marriage.”

Regarding rumors of a 2026 fall wedding, the agency clarified, “Nothing has been finalized yet, but once plans are set, they hope to share the good news with fans first.” Since Tiffany is currently promoting without an official agency, TEAMHOPE also conveyed her gratitude and asked fans to warmly support the couple.

The two met while filming Disney+’s Uncle Samsik, where Byun Yo Han played ambitious politician Kim San and Tiffany portrayed his love interest Rachel Jung. After filming, Byun Yo Han even thanked Tiffany in interviews, calling her his “English teacher.”

Fans are now wondering whether Tiffany Young will become the first Girls’ Generation member to tie the knot in 2026.

Rumors linking BTS member Jungkook and aespa’s Winter have escalated into a major controversy, prompting SM Entertainment to take legal action while some fans of Jungkook staged a truck protest outside HYBE headquarters.

SM Entertainment Launches Expanded Legal Measures

On December 10, SM Entertainment issued an official statement titled “Updates on legal measures to protect Winter’s rights,” addressing a surge of malicious content directed at the aespa member following the dating speculation.

The agency confirmed it is pursuing both criminal and civil complaints against individuals spreading posts involving:

  • Sexual harassment
  • Defamation and insults
  • Personal attacks
  • Privacy violations
  • Deepfake content

SM stated that numerous harmful posts targeting Winter have been identified and that legal complaints will be expanded in stages with zero leniency. The company also noted it is taking action against malicious content targeting aespa as a group.

The announcement is widely seen as a direct response to the wave of personal attacks that emerged after the dating rumors surfaced.

Fan Protest Trucks Sent to HYBE

Amid rising speculation, a group of Jungkook’s fans sent protest trucks to HYBE’s Yongsan headquarters. The trucks displayed pointed messages such as:

  • “If you will not remove the couple tattoo, step down from BTS activities.”
  • “Is fan betrayal how you repay ARMY?”
  • “Erase the couple tattoo and restore trust.”

These displays reflect growing divisions within fandom spaces as speculation continues online.

Origins of the Dating Rumor

The rumor began on December 4 after netizens claimed to find several “matching signs” between Jungkook and Winter, including:

  • Similar tattoos featuring three dog faces
  • Similar rings and in-ear accessories
  • Matching ring-finger nail designs
  • Jungkook attending an aespa concert

Neither HYBE nor SM Entertainment has issued a statement, fueling further speculation.

Idols’ Public Appearances Amid the Controversy

Winter resumed activities shortly after the rumors, appearing at a fan signing where she comforted a crying fan a moment that spread widely online.

Jungkook, meanwhile, appeared calm through the situation, posting a photo of himself eating ramen with RM on December 10, presenting a sense of normalcy despite the ongoing controversy.

Girls’ Generation’s YoonA is officially returning to the music scene.

On December 10, it was revealed that she is preparing to release a new digital single, which she will perform for the first time at her Seoul fan meeting on December 20. This marks her first music release since her 2019 special album A Walk to Remember.

YoonA has also had a standout year in acting, receiving praise for her lead role in Bon Appétit, Your Majesty, where she portrayed Yeon Ji Young, a gifted chef who time-travels to the past and must navigate an unfamiliar era.

BTS’s Jimin has added another major brand to his ambassador lineup.

He has been officially named the new global ambassador for LADOR, a premium Korean haircare brand. Following the announcement, Sure Magazine reported that fans quickly sold out several of LADOR’s best-selling products, showcasing Jimin’s massive influence.

The collaboration marks what LADOR calls “a new era of haircare rooted in identity, modern beauty, and self-expression,” pairing the brand’s quality with Jimin’s worldwide star power.

Im YoonA closed out the year with another major achievement, winning the 2025 Actor of the Year Chosen by the Public (Film Category) at the 30th Consumer’s Day KCA Culture and Entertainment Awards.

YoonA turned heads on the red carpet in a sleek, elegant suit before being honored for her standout performance as Jung Seon Ji in The Devil Has Moved In. Her dual-role portrayal a cheerful bakery owner by day and an awakened devil at dawn earned widespread praise for its emotional precision, versatility, and comedic timing.

In her acceptance speech, YoonA shared, “This project taught me that challenges are something exciting, not frightening. Receiving such a meaningful award makes this moment even more rewarding.” She expressed gratitude to the production team, audiences, and fans for their support.

YoonA has had a highly successful year across both film and television, starring in The Devil Has Moved In and The Tyrant’s Chef, and earning multiple awards including the AAA Grand Prize Actress (TV), AAA Best Artist, AAA Asia Star Award, and the Blue Dragon Popular Star Award.

Later this month, she will meet fans at her “Bon Appétit, Your Majesty” drama fan meetings in Bangkok (Dec 13) and Seoul (Dec 20).

TWICE has officially become the first K-pop girl group to perform at Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Stadium.

On December 6 and 7, the group held two sold-out shows as part of their world tour, drawing over 90,000 fans a historic achievement for both TWICE and the venue. The concerts featured a 360-degree open-stage setup, the stadium’s first, enhancing the immersive experience.

Opening with “THIS IS FOR,” TWICE delivered a powerful setlist packed with hits like “I CAN’T STOP ME,” “FANCY,” “MOONLIGHT SUNRISE,” and “What Is Love?”, along with solo performances from their special album TEN: The Story Goes On. Fans filled the venue with nonstop cheers as TWICE returned their energy with heartfelt messages and flawless live stages.

This milestone adds to TWICE’s growing list of global achievements, including being the first K-pop girl group to enter the Billboard 200 ten times and the first foreign act to perform at Japan’s National Stadium. Their largest world tour continues with upcoming stops in Bangkok, North America, Japan, and Europe through 2026.

Singer-actress Kim Sejeong is officially returning to music with a new release.

On December 8 KST, she announced via social media that her first single album, titled Solar System (태양계), will drop on December 17 at 6 PM KST. This marks her first music release in over two years since her 2023 full-length album Door.

Sejeong is also preparing for her 2026 Tenth Letter fan concert tour, with scheduled stops in Seoul, Taipei, Melbourne, Sydney, Manila, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, and Yokohama.